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Is casting really complicated ?

edlea

Lobbygobbler
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Aug 1, 2013
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4,693
Location
Blackpool
First Name
Ed
Think now that I'm back making things I might have to try this casting game. If only a pie tin (re Ted's post on another thread) is needed how hard can it be ? I was always under the impression that all sorts of sophisticated equipment was required including vacuum flasks, pressure cookers and god knows what. Will scour YouTube for the knowledge.:fart:
 

Buckeye

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Oct 15, 2013
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UK
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Peter
It's far too complicated for you to do at home, Ed. That is true if you are 5 years old. It easy to do and you don't need anything special apart from resin, colours, lollipop sticks to stir and a mould of some sort either a block mould, specific pen kit moulds or PVC tubes. For PR you don't need pressure, just make sure you warm it up to 25/30 degrees C it will thin it out and help get rid of any bubbles, the recent Stainless Swarf blanks I made didn't use pressure although if you have a pressure pot you can use it, I use it with polyurethane resin, but not with PR. Be aware that the PR is very stinky and I only use it outdoors and with a vapour mask, I can get in a lot of trouble if I don't use a mask or the filters are past their best. When I say filters I mean Vapour filters, you might find PR okay without filters, but I don't.

Peter
 

bassethound

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Mar 12, 2014
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East Sussex
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Ted
Ed, I have always find it easy for the few bits I do mate, I have only tried polyester resin, I only use the Aluminium pet food trays that I posted as a mould, that is all I need as I don't sell pens and I just do it for fun and to keep me active, it is not that expensive to have a go mate, don't bother in the winter though!:rolling:

Forgot to say do it outside!:rolling:
 

Penpal

Grand Master
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May 26, 2013
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25,342
Location
Canberra AUSTRALIA
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Peter
ED les in Canada does not use pressure and his casting is excellent as well. In the library on the IAP he has a simple warming bucket heated by a lamp bulb and controlled by a thermostat that makes casting a lot easier.

Peter.
 

Jim

Grand Master
Joined
Oct 19, 2011
Posts
15,617
Not easy if you are a perfectionist Ed .. :winking:

Relatively easy, it is all about timing .. When to pour the mix etc .. To early and the colours will blend, to late and it is just a blob .. Just right and you can make some stunning blanks for sure .. With PR no fancy equipment needed just mix and poor .. After the first few goes you will be a dad hand at it .. :thumbs:
 
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